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A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
Chronic hepatitis e in heart transplant recipients
Summary
Heart transplant recipients have a higher risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Chronic HEV may cause liver issues, but ribavirin treatment shows promise, though optimal dosing needs further study.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are known in immunosuppressed individuals.
- The role of HEV in heart transplant recipients (HTR) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and impact of HEV infection in HTR.
- To assess the risk of HEV infection in cardiac surgery patients and compare it to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective screening of 274 HTR for HEV using anti-HEV-IgG ELISA and HEV-PCR.
- Cross-sectional study of 137 non-HTR and 537 healthy subjects.
- Analysis of HEV seroprevalence and chronic infection markers.
Main Results:
- HEV seroprevalence was significantly higher in HTR (11%) and non-HTR (7%) compared to healthy controls (2%).
- Four HTR (1.5%) showed chronic HEV infection with elevated liver enzymes and advanced liver disease.
- Ribavirin treatment was successful in three patients, but failed in one cirrhotic patient after dose reduction.
Conclusions:
- HTR and patients undergoing cardiac surgery face an increased risk of HEV infection.
- Chronic hepatitis E can contribute to elevated liver enzymes in HTR.
- Ribavirin is a potentially effective treatment for chronic HEV in HTR, but optimal therapeutic strategies require further research.
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